Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship
Application Form
Name: _________________________________________________ Year: _____________________________________
GPA: _______________________________________________
Major: ______________________________________
Citizenship Status: __________________________ Race/Ethnicity (optional): _________________________________
Are you planning to study abroad in your junior year?_______________________________________________________
The explicit purpose of the MMUF Program is to increase diversity in the faculties and the curricula of US colleges
and universities. MMUF Fellows are selected on the basis of the potential for their academic skills, characteristics and
interests that contribute to this end, with emphasis on the Mellon designated fields of study. Once selected, fellows are
given financial support and personal mentoring to help them better understand what it means to live an academic life and
to help them prepare for success in graduate school. Accepting a fellowship is not a final commitment to seek a Ph.D. and
become a professor, but applicants should apply to the program with sincere intent to explore that option fully and openly.
The application consists of two essays:
Essay 1: Not to exceed two pages, typed and double spaced
How do your academic promise and performance, your interests, and your past experiences and future goals align with the
purposes of the MMUF program? How would your selection help further the goals above? Describe how you have
demonstrated commitment to the opportunities for underrepresented minorities, breaking down stereotypes, increasing
cross-racial and ethnic understanding and enabling others to better understand person of different races and ethnicities?
Essay 2: Not to exceed one page, typed and double spaced
Describe a possible topic of interest for your fellowship project. In general terms, what would you like to research? What
background work have you done that has prepared you to pursue this project? How will you use the summer to begin
and/or continue your research? This essay must be reviewed and approved by a faculty member from an appropriate
department and must be accompanied by the Faculty Consultation form.
By signing below I understand that, if selected as a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, it will be my responsibility to
fully participate in all aspects of the Program, including the MMUF Research Seminar, conferences, and all other
meetings.
Signature
Date
Materials to be submitted by Thursday, March 10, 2016:
1. An application form
2. Two essays
3. Signed Faculty Consultation form
4. One or two signed letters of recommendation from a Smith Faculty member with whom you have studied or worked
(sent directly to MMUF Program Coordinator at College Hall 206 or by email at dramdath@smith.edu)
5. Official transcript
Submit all of the above materials, no later than Thursday, March 10, 2016, to:
Program Coordinator
Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program
College Hall 206